Ever wondered why you seem to hit blades better than cavity back irons?
You’re not alone. Many golfers have noticed a huge difference in their performance when using blades, even though most people think they’re harder to use.
In this post, I’ll go over reasons why blades might actually work better for your swing.
Table of Contents
#1 Shaft Weight
Blades have heavier steel shafts than the lightweight graphite ones you’d find in cavity backs.
For some golfers, the extra weight from those steel shafts can actually help them improve and make more consistent contact with the ball.
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The extra weight adds stability to the swing arc, which leads to more solid and centered strikes on the clubface.
That said, heavy shafts won’t work for everyone.
But they can definitely benefit certain swing styles and tempos.
#2 Head Size And Shape
The head size and shape of blades could be why you hit them better than cavity backs.
Blades have a smaller, more compact head design compared to cavity backs.
This reduced head size can make it easier for some players to square the clubface properly at impact for a more consistent strike.
Plus, blades typically have less offset (where the clubface sticks out ahead of the shaft).
Less offset means a more straight-back, straight-through swing path, which some golfers prefer for making solid contact.
#3 Turf Interaction
Blade irons also have more thin and narrow soles.
This design allows blades to glide through the turf more smoothly, especially for golfers with really steep swings or those who take shallow divots.
The narrow sole also helps players avoid digging into the ground too much and whiffing or chunking their shots.
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In fact, many pro golfers have switched to blades just because the turf interaction helps them steer clear of those dreaded chunked and fat shots better.
#4 Swing Mechanics
The next reason why you are better at blades is because of swing mechanics.
Blades require a more precise swing than cavity backs.
If your swing is already consistent and you make good contact with the ball, blades can offer more feel and control, leading to better shot shaping and accuracy.
So if you have shallower, sweeping swing paths or tend to strike the ball with a downward blow, blades will be better.
The compact design and lower center of gravity of blades will suit these swings well.
#5 Feel And Feedback
The next reason is their feel and feedback.
Blades are known for the exceptional feel and feedback they provide upon contact with the ball.
They transmit all those tiny vibrations and sensations directly to your hands, so skilled players can really feel whether they’ve struck the ball solidly or miss-hit it.
This heightened feedback enables golfers to identify swing flaws and make quick adjustments based on how the strike felt.
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#6 Mindset And Focus
Sometimes the reason you hit blades better is because of your mindset.
There’s no denying the intimidation factor when setting up to hit a blade iron.
For some golfers, this mental challenge leads to more focused swings in search of that sweet spot.
It’s almost like a Placebo effect—the belief that you need to be a better golfer to play blades pushes you to concentrate harder and improve the quality of your strike.
#7 Course Conditions
Depending on the specific course you’re playing, blades can offer certain advantages over cavity backs in some situations.
Baldes will do a lot better in fast greens and tight fairway lies
The precision and clean turf interaction of blades really shines in these.
Being able to control trajectory, spin rates, and nail precise distances is huge in these demanding conditions.
Cavity backs tend to have an edge on softer lies where getting the ball up in the air easily with lots of forgiveness is more important than surgical shot-making.
#8 Simple Design
Part of the reason some golfers struggle with cavity backs is the overabundance of features like internal tungsten weighting, intricate CG locations, thin faces and more.
Blades keep things beautifully simple.
They don’t have all the bells and whistles – just a clean, no-frills construction.
And for some golfers, this straightforward design actually helps them make more consistent, solid strikes.
With fewer distractions to think about, they can concentrate on making a pure, well-struck hit on the thin blade face, plus this goes hand in hand with mindset and preference.